UK and Netherlands Sign £2.4 Billion Maritime Partnership

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten signed a £2.4 billion ($3.2 billion) maritime partnership agreement on July 7, 2026, during a NATO leaders' meeting in Ankara. The center-piece of the deal is the Joint Amphibious Transport Ship (ATS) programme, which will produce eight next-generation vessels—four for each nation. These 160-meter, 15,000-ton ships will be based on a Dutch design and constructed in British shipyards to transport troops and equipment.

The agreement establishes a hybrid navy approach, integrating crewed vessels with uncrewed and autonomous systems, including long-range drones. Beyond shipbuilding, the partnership focuses on four pillars: strategic alignment, the ATS programme, the UK-Netherlands Amphibious Task Force, and regional security and national resilience. The allies committed to protecting critical undersea infrastructure and deterring threats across the North Atlantic and High North.

This cooperation aims to strengthen NATO's readiness, specifically regarding Regional Plan North West, and the Joint Expeditionary Force. Both nations also reaffirmed their continued military and training support for Ukraine. UK Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis stated the shared equipment would allow forces to operate and exercise together to ensure they can fight and win together in response to conventional and hybrid threats.